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Iris pumila Smell the Roses - Dwarf bearded Iris

Iris pumila Smell The Roses
Dwarf bearded Iris

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I unfortunately did not get to see the lovely colour of these irises as no bulb has flowered...

M-Odile, 16/05/2023

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A dwarf iris with bluish-purple flowers that exude an authentic rose fragrance. This variety blooms early in the season, usually in early April, and then blooms again in early September. It is a prolific variety, ideal for colonising a rock garden, a border, or a gravel bed. A superb variety!
Flower size
6 cm
Height at maturity
35 cm
Spread at maturity
25 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -18°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time August to September
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October
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Flowering time April, September
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Description

Iris pumila 'Smell the Roses' is aptly named. It is a dwarf iris with a violet flowering that exhales a pronounced sweet scent reminiscent of roses. Like other dwarf irises, it blooms early in spring, but this variety also offers a second generous flowering in late summer. It is a particularly vigorous and prolific variety, ideal for rockeries, planters, borders, and large embankments.

Iris pumila 'Smell the Roses' is a small rhizomatous perennial plant from the Iridaceae family. It belongs to a horticultural group called SDB (Standard Dwarf Bearded). In this group, there are hybrids between I. pumila, which is truly dwarf, and garden irises. Of modest size, dwarf irises bloom before the tall irises, but after the true dwarf irises.

From spring onwards, Iris pumila 'Smell the Roses' forms small upright clumps. Its foliage is deciduous, absent in winter. The plant reaches a height of 33cm (13in) when in bloom, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the centre rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, in a somewhat glaucous green. In March, short flower stems appear that will bloom in April, earlier or later depending on the climate. The flower stems often bear 2 to 3 flowers. Each flower, measuring 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in), consists of 3 petals of a medium violet-blue, and 3 sepals of a deeper rosy violet showing a lighter violet area around the beard. The beard is a slightly powdery medium violet-blue. Vigorous reblooming occurs in September.

It was obtained by Monty Byers, 1987 - Awards: Honourable Mention in 1990, Award of Merit in 1994.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil), their "respectful" growth with irises (low plants or light foliage), and their complementary style (appearance, flowering date). For example, gauras will provide little shade and keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout summer. Eschscholzia will be satisfied with dry and poor soil, just like the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and libertia also accompany irises very well. A dense planting of old diploid varieties will stabilise embankments and patio edges. The plants can remain in place and require little care.

For rockeries, stony and dry meadows, limestone plateaus, rocky embankments, and green roofs: use the full range of irises. Border edges are the domain of border irises, but also of dwarf irises!

Flowering

Flower colour violet
Flowering time April, September
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 6 cm
Fragrance Fragrant, sweet scent of rose

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 35 cm
Spread at maturity 25 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

pumila

Cultivar

Smell The Roses

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Dwarf bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference177871

Planting and care

A sunny, warm, and relatively dry location in summer is ideal for planting irises. They struggle to grow and flower when planted in shade. They are hardy and do not require winter protection. Well-drained soil is perfect, even if it is on the dry and chalky side. Excessively wet soil can lead to rhizome rot. Plant them from July to September. This allows the rhizomes enough time to grow before being dug up, and to develop new roots before winter. They should be planted as soon as they are purchased for best results. Plan to divide irises every 4 years to provide them with fresh soil. They have vigorous growth and need space to develop and flower well. Plant them with appropriate spacing based on the size and vigour of the variety: approximately 34 to 50cm (13 to 20in) for tall irises (5 to 10 plants per square metre). In a monochromatic planting, rhizomes should be planted in a staggered pattern. For a mix of colours, plant them in groups of several plants of the same variety. Always consider the direction of rhizome growth, arranging them in a star shape with buds and leaves facing outward, and spacing them well away from other varieties to allow room for growth.

Planting:

Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough. Create a conical mound of soil in the hole, on which the rhizome and spread-out roots are placed. Cover the roots. It is important for the rhizome to be positioned at the surface of the soil. It should not be planted in a depression (risk of rot), so anticipate that the soil will settle and the iris will sink. In clayey or damp soil, the rhizome should even be left elevated on a slight mound of a few centimetres. To secure the soil around the roots, lightly tamp the soil and thoroughly water immediately after planting. Water 2-3 times if necessary until the plant establishes.

Maintenance:

Keep the soil free of weeds by lightly hoeing, taking care not to damage the rhizomes or roots. Weeds create shade for the irises, retain moisture (leading to rot), and attract slugs. Also, remove dry leaves. If they are diseased (red-bordered spots of heterosporiosis), burn them. Remove faded flowers.

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€14.50 Each
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€19.50

Planting period

Best planting time August to September
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October

Intended location

Suitable for Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -18°C (USDA zone 7a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 10 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained soil

Care

Pruning instructions Cut the faded flowers
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time May, October
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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